#Department of Education
#Department of Education

This year it's a slow crawl to financial aid packages for students

The U.S. Department of Education revamped FAFSA to simplify it, but delays have caused confusion and hindered aid packages distribution.

Many colleges are receiving far fewer FAFSA applications than expected, delaying the financial aid process. [ more ]

ABC7 San Francisco

Department of Education takes steps to speed up financial aid awards after bumpy FAFSA rollout

The Department of Education is taking steps to speed up college financial aid awards for the upcoming school year after a bumpy rollout of the new FAFSA.

The new FAFSA form, which is expected to make more students eligible for financial aid, has faced delays in availability and transferring financial information to colleges. [ more ]

ABC7 San Francisco

Colleges won't receive FAFSA data until March | Here's what that means for students

Colleges won't start receiving students' financial aid data from the FAFSA until March, frustrating students waiting to make college enrollment decisions.

The delay is due to major changes made to the FAFSA, including an entirely new formula and process. [ more ]

Cbsnews

FAFSA delay putting pressure on prospective, current college students

FAFSA data won't be sent out to schools for more than a month, causing delays in the financial aid process.

The delay in releasing the crucial financial data has the biggest impact on prospective students and compresses an already tight timeline to get financial aid packets out. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Colleges Won't Get FAFSA Data Until March, Delaying Aid Offers

The troubled rollout of the new FAFSA form and revision of the formula for determining federal financial aid has led to a delay in transmitting data to schools until early March.

Many schools rely on FAFSA to determine institutional grants, so the delay hampers their ability to offer accurate price quotes to students.

Low-income students are particularly affected by the delay, as a difference of a few thousand dollars can determine their ability to start or finish school. [ more ]

Cbsnews

New York City announces new public schools opening in September 2024

New public schools opening in NYC in fall including an accelerated high school in East New York.

Schools Chancellor emphasizes the need to reimagine education post-pandemic to better meet parents' and students' needs. [ more ]

Newsmax

NYC Slammed for Chaotic Remote Learning During Snow Storm

Technical glitches during remote learning in NYC criticized

DOE blamed tech company IBM for the problems [ more ]

New York Post

DOE forks over $7K to stage 'adult' comedy show headlined by Banks pal as schools face massive budget cuts

The city Department of Education hosted a comedy event that cost taxpayers money while schools face budget cuts.

City officials and educrats attended the event, which featured comedians Mike Troy and Meshelle Foreman Shields. [ more ]

morenew-york-city

Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

Ed Dept begins sending student aid forms to colleges

Student aid information batches sent to colleges, but forms arriving slowly

Colleges receiving significantly fewer ISIRs than usual, delays expected [ more ]

antisemitism

Cbsnews

Schools Chancellor David Banks pushes back after allegations of antisemitism at Brooklyn school

Accusations of antisemitism at a Brooklyn high school led to critical responses from Schools Chancellor David Banks.

The Department of Education initiated training sessions for principals on addressing cultural bias and hate in schools. [ more ]

New York Post

Antisemitism rules the halls at another NYC high school - does the DOE or UFT even care?

Antisemitism at Origins High School prompting a teacher lawsuit

Allegations of harassment and hate incidents at Origins High School [ more ]

Cbsnews

Lawmakers react to claims of antisemitism at Origins High School in Brooklyn

Lawmakers speaking out over claims of antisemitism at Origins High School in Brooklyn.

Allegations of swastikas painted in classrooms and on students' laptops at Origins High School. [ more ]

New York Post

NYC seminar on teaching kids about 'genocide in Gaza' is antisemitic and 'divisive': Rep. Ritchie Torres

The virtual seminar organized by New York City educators is being criticized as antisemitic and divisive.

Lawmakers and advocates are calling on the Department of Education to intervene and cancel the event. [ more ]

New York Post

NYC DOE spokesman blasted for defending class map erasing Israel: 'Antisemitic, nauseating'

The Department of Education spokesman faced criticism for defending a map of the Middle East that omitted Israel.

Former superintendent Donalda Chumney demanded to know what the DOE officials will do about the spokesman's remarks. [ more ]

New York Post

DOE snubs invite to view Hamas atrocities as parents, teachers demand action

City Department of Education officials declined invitation to watch footage of Hamas atrocities committed against Israelis.

Parent group urges DOE officials to attend the screening to develop understanding of the Jewish community's reaction to the atrocity. [ more ]

moreantisemitism

Irish Independent

3 days ago

Special schools in crisis: Investigation reveals hundreds of children without places as demand for spots soars

Increasing demand for special school places causing stress for families and putting children at risk of lacking key skills. [ more ]

New York Post

9 hours ago

NYC high school administrator busted for inappropriate contact with 17-year-old girl: sources

A high school staffer in Queens was arrested for inappropriate contact with a 17-year-old student, leading to reassignment and investigation. [ more ]

New York Post

3 weeks ago

NYC's $43M plan to install door-locking system in public schools marred by 'mishaps,' delays

The installation of remote door-locking systems in public schools by the city Department of Education is significantly delayed due to poor planning and technical issues. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Student Aid Woes Stalk Education Secretary in Appearance on Capitol Hill

The chaotic college admissions process is a focus during a funding discussion at the Department of Education.

Lawmakers from both parties express concerns about the botched rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. [ more ]

Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

Another calculation error could delay FAFSAs further

FAFSA processing error led to inaccurate aid estimates on hundreds of thousands of ISIRs

Approximately 200,000 FAFSAs need to be reprocessed due to the miscalculation [ more ]

Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

Liberty University fined $14 million for Clery violations

Liberty University fined $14 million for campus crime-reporting violations and victim discouragement.

Settlement includes $2 million for campus safety improvements, postreview monitoring until 2026. [ more ]

Newsmax

2 weeks ago

Remote teams

GOP Sens Want Clarity on Education Department's Working From Home

Republican senators question Department of Education's remote work policies. [ more ]

euronews

2 weeks ago

Health

Video. Heatwave prompts millions to stay home from school

Department of Education ordered students in 47,000+ public schools to study from home due to health risks from record-high temperatures. [ more ]

Left-wing politics

Truthout

2 weeks ago

Left-wing politics

Biden Must Recognize All Student Debt as Hardship. It's the Key Step to Relief.

Debt relief requires proof of 'hardship,' despite the debt itself being viewed as a hardship. [ more ]

Truthout

Left-wing politics

Biden's New Student Loan Relief Plan Could Benefit Over 30 Million Borrowers

President Biden announces a new student loan relief plan benefitting over 30 million borrowers.

The plan includes debt cancellation for those facing economic hardships, borrowers with higher loan balances due to accrued interest, and individuals with 'low-value credentials'. [ more ]

moreLeft-wing politics

LGBTQ Nation

After outcry, U.S. Dept. of Education will investigate Nex Benedict's death

The DOE is investigating the Owasso Public School District following the death of a nonbinary student.

HRC requested the investigation after a deadly attack on a student in the school bathroom. [ more ]

PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news

Oklahoma school faces US federal probe in the wake of Nex Benedict's death

Federal officials opening investigation into Oklahoma school district where student died after a fight.

US Department of Education investigating Owasso Public Schools' response to sex-based harassment following student's death. [ more ]

Advocate.com

BREAKING: Federal investigation opens into Owasso Public Schools after death of Nex Benedict

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is investigating Owasso Public Schools following a complaint regarding sex-based harassment incidents.

HRC President Kelley Robinson urged the Department of Education to act against harassment to prevent future tragedies and ensure justice for the late Nex Benedict. [ more ]

Above the Law

Law

More Lawyers Working In Public Service Are Starting To See Their Student Loans Vanish Thanks To The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

PSLF program forgave loans for many borrowers, including lawyers with high debt balances.

Changes in PSLF rules and COVID-19 forbearance contributed to increased loan forgiveness under the program. [ more ]

New York Post

NYC pre-K teacher who spread anti-Israel lessons quits the DOE

Siriana Abboud resigned from her teaching position after controversy over anti-Israel lesson plans.

The New York City Public School Alliance expressed relief over Abboud's resignation but concerns about the lack of systemic change. [ more ]

BKReader

Mayor Praises City Ops After Nor'easter, Banks Blames IBM For Remote School Snafu

Mayor Eric Adams is pleased with NYC agencies for handling the nor'easter, but the Department of Education Chancellor blamed IBM for remote school issues.

Adams praised the Department of Sanitation for their snow removal efforts and emphasized the importance of keeping the streets clean. [ more ]

Independent.ie

Schools refusing to accept new pupils unless 'voluntary' contributions paid

Some public schools in Ireland are conditionally offering acceptance to students based on the payment of contributions.

The Department of Education has stated that a child's place in a school cannot be dependent on making such a payment, but some schools are still engaging in this practice. [ more ]

Independent.ie

Some schools still refusing to enroll new pupils unless 'voluntary' contributions of up to 550 are paid

Acceptance letters from some public schools in Ireland are conditional on payment of contributions, despite the Department of Education stating this practice is not allowed.

Charities are campaigning for voluntary contributions to be abolished, as they disproportionately impact parents from lower-income backgrounds. [ more ]

New York Post

NYC politics

De Blasio-era 'whiteout' case will cost city millions -but Blas won't pay

Plaintiffs' racial discrimination claims can proceed in a reverse-discrimination lawsuit against the city Department of Education and former Chancellor Richard Carranza.

City Hall is likely to pay millions of dollars to settle the lawsuit, with city taxpayers bearing the cost. [ more ]

www.bostonherald.com

I'm not safe here': Schools ignore federal rules on restraint and seclusion

Students with disabilities are often subjected to restraint and seclusion practices in schools, which can be traumatizing.

Wake County Public School System in North Carolina failed to report incidents of restraint and seclusion for nearly a decade. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

A Map Without Israel Plunges a Grade School Into a Political Firestorm

A school in Brooklyn faced controversy after a social media post revealed a classroom map that labeled Israel as Palestine.

The school canceled its annual Martin Luther King Day march after the controversy emerged.

The incident sparked discussion about the role of the Department of Education in vetting classroom materials. [ more ]

New York Post

Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres urges DOE to prohibit 'indoctrinating students with anti-Israel propaganda' after classroom map left out Jewish state

Democratic Congressman urges restrictions to prevent anti-Israel propaganda in city schools

Qatar-funded map that left out Israel found in Brooklyn classroom [ more ]

www.amny.com

Adams backpedals on cuts to Community Schools, student summer program | amNewYork

Mayor Eric Adams is restoring funding to the Dept. of Education Community Schools and the Summer Rising program that he previously cut in his budget plan.

The funding restoration will prevent a reduction in program hours and preserve 30,000 seats in the Summer Rising program. [ more ]

www.newsshopper.co.uk

Best and worst secondary schools in Bexley revealed in new government data

The Department for Education has released new data showing the progress of secondary schools in Bexley.

The data reveals the schools where pupils made more progress against the national average and those where they made less progress. [ more ]

QNS.com

'We need accountability': Queens elected officials, Jewish leaders demand answers on city's response to antisemitic rampage at Hillcrest High School in Jamaica - QNS.com

Queens elected officials and Jewish community leaders rallied to demand answers on the lack of transparency regarding an antisemitic rampage at Hillcrest High School.

The rampage was sparked by a teacher changing her social media profile picture to indicate support for Israel.

The slow response by the Department of Education and the Adams administration was criticized by Council Member James Gennaro. [ more ]

The New York Sun

A Battle of 'Good Versus Evil': Legal Issues Mount for Universities Accused of Cultivating Antisemitism

Top universities, including Ivy League institutions, are under investigation for cultivating antisemitism on campus.

Legal issues are likely to arise for universities that appear to side with antisemitism, especially in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Jewish students are already suing New York University over alleged violations of anti-discrimination policies and civil rights law. [ more ]

www.npr.org

Education Department opens school probes over alleged antisemitism, Islamophobia

The Department of Education released a list of K-12 and higher education institutions under investigation for alleged antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Investigations were launched in response to the rise in reports of discrimination and harassment in schools and colleges.

The schools being investigated include Cornell University, Columbia University, and Lafayette College. [ more ]

New York Post

Columbia, Cooper Union among 7 schools under federal probe for antisemitism, Islamophobia: report

The Department of Education is investigating seven schools, including Columbia, Cornell, and Cooper Union, over complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus.

The probes involve five reported cases of antisemitism and two of Islamophobia at six colleges and one school district in the US.

The DOE will offer recommendations to the schools and they could lose federal funding if they don't comply. [ more ]

New York Post